How Much Are NHS Consultants Paid across UK

When looking for your next role, salary is always going to be at or near the top of your list. The NHS has rules and regulations in place that ensure salaries are fair, but salaries do differ across the UK.

Standard Pay

Within the UK, consultants have contracts in place to determine salary. These contracts are based on full-time work commitments including 10 programmed activities a week (4 hours).

Below, we’re going to outline the standard pay thresholds across the UK:

• England
• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland

Standard Pay in England

As a consultant in England you can expect a basic salary of £88,364 to £119,133.

Threshold	Years as a consultant	Basic salary
1	0	£88,364
2	1	£91,131
3	2	£93,898
4	3	£96,665
5	4	£99,425
	5
	6
	7
	8
6	9	£105,996
	10
	11
	12
	13
7	14	£112,569
	15
	16
	17
	18
8	19+	£119,133

You can find the most recent full pay circular for England here.

The National Clinical Impact Award (NCIA) scheme aims to reward consultants who contribute most to the delivery of safe and high-quality care and the improvement of NHS services. You can apply for a new award after you have completed a full year in an eligible role.

Standard Pay in Scotland

As a consultant in Scotland you can expect a basic salary of £91,474 to £121,548.

Threshold	Years as a consultant	Basic salary
1	1 (starting salary)	£91,474
2	2	£93,406
3	3	£96,185
4	4	£98,967
5	5	£101,741
	6
	7
	8
	9
6	10	£108,345
	11
	12
	13
	14
7	15	£114,949
	16
	17
	18
	19
8	20+	£121,548

You can find the most recent full pay circular for Scotland here.

All consultants who have reached point five of the pay scale are eligible for consideration for discretionary points, except for distinction award holders. Consultants granted discretionary points are not normally considered again for two years, although this may vary.

Standard Pay in Wales

As a consultant in Wales you can expect a basic salary of £86,063 to £111,732.

Threshold	Years as a consultant	Basic salary
1	0 (starting salary)	£86,063
2	1	£88,804
3	2	£93,388
4	3	£98,710
5	4	£104,791
6	5	£108,258
7	6	£111,732

You can find the most recent full pay circular for Wales here.

Within Wales it is important to note that the pay scale is for substantive or permanent doctors.

Locum consultants will receive a fixed pay point of £98,897 regardless of years experience.

Commitment awards are available to all consultants after three years’ service at the top of the consultant pay scale, who demonstrate their commitment through satisfactory job plan reviews. They are then eligible at three-yearly intervals, until they have achieved eight award levels.

Standard Pay in Northern Ireland

As a consultant in Northern Ireland you can expect a basic salary of £982,500 to £111,230.

Threshold	Years as a consultant	Basic salary
1	1 (starting salary)	£82,500
2	2	£85,084
3	3	£87,668
4	4	£90,250
5	5	£92,826
	6
	7
	8
	9
6	10	£98,964
	11
	12
	13
	14
7	15	£105,100
	16
	17
	18
	19
8	20+	£111,230

You can find the most recent full pay circular for Northern Ireland here.

Programmed Activities & Job Planning

Within your contract you will create a job plan alongside your NHS employer. The job plan is an annual agreement which sets your duties, responsibilities and objectives.

Job plans cover four basic categories of contractual work:

• Direct clinical care
• Supporting professional activities
• Additional responsibilities
• External duties

Finding the Right Salary For You

At International Staffing Solutions, it’s our goal to ensure you find the right salary within the NHS. We are here to assist with salary negotiations and everything up to that point, to ensure you find a job that matches your expectations. Get in touch with us today to begin your journey in the NHS.